Auxiliary safety step for rung ladders and locking means therefor



Dec. 3, 1963 ORAN 3,112,811

C. P. M AUXILIARY SAFETY STEP FOR RUNG LADDERS AND LOCKING MEANS THEREFOR Filed Feb. 2, 1962 CHARLES P. MORAN 1' BY WW C J u,-

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,112,811 AUXHJIARY SAFETY STEP FOR RUNG LADDERS AND LGCKENG MEANS THEREFOR Charles ll. Moran, 5906 Roanoke Place, College Park, Md. Filed Feb. 2, 1962, Ser. No. 170,617 3 Claims. (Cl. 182-120) length of time, causing fatigue and discomfort to the workman due to the relatively narrow area of support provided for the workmans feet by the round rung of the ladder. Also, the use of such ladders is frequently dangerous due to the inadequate support provided by the round rung, and many accidents have resulted because of this inadequate support.

it has been known in the prior art to provide fiat auxiliary steps which are placed in position on the particular rung of the ladder which is being used, the auxiliary step being moved to a different rung when the workman moves to a different position on the ladder. However, many of the auxiliary steps of the prior art provide means for attaching the auxiliary step to the ladder which are not entirely satisfactory.

It is an object of this invention to provide in combination with an auxiliary step for a rung type ladder a locking means which securely locks the auxiliary step in position on the ladder.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved locking means for the auxiliary step of a rungtype ladder which permits easy attachment or removal of the auxiliary step from the ladder and yet firmly and securely locks the step in position on the ladder while in use.

It is another object of the invention to provide an auxiliary step for a rung-type ladder including opposite bracket members which engage the side rails of the ladder, and a cooperating locking member for each bracket member, with both the bracket members and their locking members being adjustable for ladder rails of different front-to-rear dimensions.

In achievement of these objectives, there is provided in accordance with this invention an auxiliary step adapted to be secured in position on the upper surface of a ladder rung, the auxiliary step including at the opposite ends thereof channel-like brackets which embrace the inner surface and the forward and rear edges of each side rail of the ladder, together with a detachable sleeve-like looking member which telescopically engages lateral flanges extending from the surfaces of the end brackets on the auxiliary step to securely hold the auxiliary step in locked position on the ladder. The channel-like brackets and their cooperating locking members may each be formed of telescopically adjustable sections to permit adjustment of the brackets and locking members to ladder side rails having different front-to-rear dimensions.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a rung-type ladder having mounted thereon the auxiliary step and locking means in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view, partially in section, show- Patented Dec. 3, i963 ing an auxiliary step and locking means in accordance with the invention mounted on a rung of a ladder;

FIG. 3 is a view in section along line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view, partially broken away, of one of the side rails of the ladder, showing one of the locking members in locking position with respect to an auxiliary step;

FIG. 5 is a perspective exploded view of an auxiliary step showing one end bracket and the locking member cooperating therewith; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective exploded view showing an end bracket and cooperating locking member respectively formed of telescopic sections which may be adjusted to conform to ladder rails of different front-to-rear dimensions.

Referring now to the drawing, there is shown a ladder generally indicated at it), including a pair of oppositely disposed side rails 12 and 14 and a plurality of spaced round rungs 16. An auxiliary step 18 in accordance with the invention is shown mounted on two of the steps of the ladder of FIG. 1, although normally only one such step would be used on a given ladder. Two auxiliary steps are shown in PEG. 1 in order to illustrate, as in the lower step 18, the appearance of the step before assembly of the locking sleeves, and at 18, the appearance of the step after the locking sleeves have been engaged with the end channel brackets of the auxiliary step.

The auxiliary step 13 may be made of sheet metal or other suitable material and includes a base portion 2% best seen in the view of PEG. 5, having upwardly bent longitudinal edges or flanges 22. In the preferred embodiment, a strip or mat of sponge rubber 24 or other similar material is suitably fastened or otherwise secured to step 18. The sponge rubber strip 24 may be adequately secured in position by providing inwardly extending horizontal flanges 25 at the upper ends of longitudinal edges 22 which compress the side edges of sponge rubber strip 24. 1

In order to assist in holding auxiliary step 18 on rung 16, a pair of spaced bolts 29 may extend through base 24) .of step 18, the bolts 29 embracing the rung 16 as best seen in 1 16.3.

Channel-like end brackets generally indicated at 28 are mounted on each end of step 13 to engage the step with the oppositely disposed side rails 12 and 14 of the ladder. Each end bracket 28 includes a flat base portion 39 which extends beneath the base 20 of step 18 and is secured thereto by fastening members such as screws 26 and nuts 27. The end bracket 28 also includes a channel portion having an upstanding wall or web 32 and a pair of laterally spaced side walls 34. A pair of oppositely-extending flanges 35 extend laterally at substantially right angles from the outer ends of channel walls 3 As best seen in the drawings, each flange 36 includes a laterally outer edge parallel to the corresponding edge of the other flange 36. The channel-shaped portion of end bracket 28, including the walls 32, 34 and flanges 36, are all rearwardly inclined at an angle of inclination relative to the fiat connecting portion 3%} of end bracket 28 and to step 18, the angle of inclination being substantially the same as the normal angle of inclination of the ladder, so that when the ladder is inclined against a wall, the surface of the auxiliary step 18 will be substantially horizontal.

To secure the auxiliary step lb securely in position locking members 4%} are provided which engage the respective end channel brackets 23 adjacent the outer surface of the side rails 12 and 14 so that each assembly of an end bracket and its corresponding locking member 4% surrounds one of the side rails 12 or 14-. Locking member 4-0 is so constructed as to be telescopically or slidably received in locking engagement with the lateral flanges 36 of channel bracket 28 in a tonguc-in-groove type of interlock. Locking member 40 in the illustrated embodiment is formed of a flat piece of sheet metal which has its opposite lateral edges folded over as indicated at 42 to define laterally spaced parallel grooves or sleeves which sli'dably receive the lateral flanges or tongues 36 of channel bracket 28. The upper ends of the sleeve members 42 are closed by overlapped portions 44 being bent over to close the upper ends of the grooves defined by the bent sleeve portions 42.

In order to provide a handle on looking member 48 to assist in engaging or disengaging member 4% with respect to channel bracket 28, the upper end of the sheet metal piece of which lock member 4-0 is formed has its upper end bent downwardly and outwardly substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the main body of the looking member to form a handle 46.

In order to position the auxiliary step on a rung 16, the step 18 with the locking members 40 removed therefrom is positioned in a tilted position above the rung on which it is desired to position the step, and the step 18 is then moved down into a horizontal position in engagement with the upper surface of rung 16. The sheet metal end brackets 28 move into position as seen in FIG. 1 to engage the inner facing surfaces of the opposite ladder rails 12 and 14 and the side wall portions 34 of the end channel brackets 28 engage the forward and rear edges of each of the respective rails -12 and 14. Also, the bolt members 29 span the rung 16, as best seen in the View of FIG. 3, in order to further assist in holding the auxiliary step in position. The locking members 40 are then engaged with the end channel brackets 28 by telescopically moving the sleeve portion 42 of the locking members 40 into locking engagement with the flange portions 36 of the end brackets 28. The overlapped portions 44 of locking members 40 prevent further downward movement of the locking members 40 relative to end brackets 28 after the locking members have been moved to thetir fully engaged position.

When it is desired to remove the step 1-8 from engagement with the rung 16, the locking members 40 are first removed by pulling upwardly on the handle portion 46 thereof. Step 18 is then tilted upwardly and removed from engagement with rung 16. The resiliency of the sheet metal end channel bracket members 28 also facilitates the positioning or removal of the auxiliary steps with respect to rung 16.

In the adjustable embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the channel bracket member generally indicated at 50 includes two sections respectively generally indicated at 52 and 54 whiioh are telescopically adjustable with respect to each other to conform to the front-to-rear dimension of the ladder side rail, which is advantageous since it permits the auxiliary step to be used with different ladders having side rails of various front-to-rear dimensions.

Each of the sections 52, 54 of the adjustable bracket 50 includes a flat base portion 56, 56', an upstanding vertical Web or Wall 58, 58', laterally spaced side wall portions 60, 60', and oppositely extending flanges 62, 62'. The base portions 56, 56', and the vertical wall portions 58, 58' of the adjustable sections 52 and 54 are provided with cooperating rows of apertures for receiving fastening means which permit the two adjustable sections to be adjusted to a given desired dimension and to then be held at that dimension by suitable fastening means extending through the aligned apertures of the two adjustable sections. The base portions 56, 56' lie beneath the base 29 of step 18, as shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, and are suitably secured thereto.

The upper edge of the vertical wall 58 of section 52 is provided with a downwardly folded edge 64 which is slidably received within a channel-like downwardly and inwardly turned edge 66 of the vertical wall 58 of the opposite section 54. The interlocking sliding engagement of the two downwardly turned edges 64 and 66 further 4 helps to provide a rigid assembly of the two telescopically movable sections 52 and 54-.

To still further insure a rigid assembly of the two sections 52, 54 of the telescopic end bracket 58, a separate auxiliary locking member 63 of channel-shaped crosssection and so dimensioned as to have a rather tight frictional fit with respect to the downwardly bent edges 64 and 66 at the upper ends of the walls 58, 58', is adapted to be slipped into position over the downwardly turned edges 64 and 66 to further unify the assembly of the two sections 52 and 54.

A locking member generally indicated at 70 is provided to cooperate with the channel bracket 50. The locking member 70 includes two telescopically adjustable sections generally indicated at 72 and 74. The two sections 72 and 74 of locking member 70 have vertical wall portions 76, 76' provided with apertures 78 which receive suitable fastening means to hold sections 72 and 74 in a desired adjusted position with respect to each other which conforms to the corresponding adjusted position of channel bracket 50.

The outer end vertical edges of each of the members 72 and '74 are turned inwardly as indicated at 8%) to provide grooved channels which slidably engage the lateral flanges 62, 62' of the channel bracket St} in a manner similar to that previously described in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, inclusive. To limit the downward movement of locking member 70, downwardly turned portions 82 are provided to close the upper ends of the grooved channels 80. Each of the adjustable sections 72 and 74 of the locking member 70 are also provided with laterally outwardly bent substantially horizontal edges 84 and 86 which telescopically engage each other and provide a handle or grip portion to permit positioning or removing the locking member 70 with respect to the end channel bracket 50.

It can be seen from the foregoing that there is provided in accordance with this invention an auxiliary step and locking means therefor which is adapted to be mounted on the round rung of a conventional rung ladder. The locking member of the invention securely holds the step in position on a given rung of the ladder and may be easily moved into or out of locking engagement with respect to the auxiliary step. When the locking member 40 is en gaged with the end brackets 28 of the auxiliary step, the step is securely held in position without danger of slipping off the rung. Furthermore, the adjustable construction shown in FIG. 6 permits the channel bracket and the mating locking member to be adjusted to conform to ladders having side rails of different front-to-rear dimensions.

While there have been shown and described particular embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention and, therefore, it is aimed to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. An auxiliary step for a rung-type ladder comprising a step adapted to rest on the upper surface of a ladder rung, an end bracket member attached to each opposite end of said step, each end bracket member being of substantially channel-shape and being adapted to extend along the inside edge and along the front and rear edges of a side rail of the ladder, a detachable locking member for each end bracket member, each locking member being shaped to extend along the outside edge of the side rail of the ladder, oppositely disposed laterally spaced parallel flange means carried by one of said members at each end of said step, oppositely disposed laterally spaced parallel groove means carried by the other of said members at each end of said step, whereby each end bracket member and its corresponding locking member may be interlockingly engaged by their respective flange and groove means to hold said step in position on the ladder rung, each of said locking members including a portion projecting therefrom to form a handle for grasping the respective locking member, and means on the upper edge of each opposite locking member extending in a lengthwise direction opposite from said handle and engaging the upper edge of the corresponding bracket member to limit the downward movement of the locking member relative to the corresponding bracket member.

2. An auxiliary step for a rung-type ladder comprising a step adapted to rest on the upper surface of a ladder rung, an end bracket attached to each opposite end of said step, each end bracket being of substantially channelshape and including a Web port-ion adapted to extend along the inside edge of a side rail of the ladder and side wall portions adapted to extend along front and rear edges of a side rail of the ladder, a flange extending laterally outwardly from each of said side walls of each end bracket, each flange including a laterally outer edge parallel to a corresponding laterally outer edge on a flange extending from the other side wall of the respective end bracket, a detachable locking member for each end bracket, each locking member being shaped to extend along the outside edge of the side rail of the ladder, means on each locking member forming laterally spaced parallel grooves to engage the laterally outer edges of the flanges of each end bracket, whereby each end bracket and its corresponding locking member may be interlockingly engaged to hold said step in position on the ladder rung, and means on the upper edge of each locking member engaging the upper edge of each flange to limit the downward movement of the locking members with respect to the end brackets.

3. An auxiliary step for a rung type ladder comprising a step adapted to rest on the upper surface of a ladder rung, an end bracket attached to each opposite end of said step, each end bracket being of substantially channelshape and including a web portion adapted to extend along the inside edge of a side rail of the ladder and side wall portions adapted to extend along front and rear edges of a side rail of the ladder, a flange extending laterally outwardly' from each of said side walls of each end bracket, each flange including a laterally outer edge, a detachable locking member for each end bracket, each locking member being shaped to extend along the outside edge of the side rail of the ladder, means on each locking member forming laterally spaced grooves to engage the laterally outer edges of the flanges of a corresponding end bracket, whereby each end bracket and its corresponding locking member may be interlockingly engaged to hold said step in position on the ladder rung, and means on the upper edge of each locking member engaging the upper edge of each flange to limit the downward movement of the locking members with respect to the end brackets.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,488,633 Linder Nov. 22, 1949 2,599,976 Carlson June 10, 1952 2,680,554 Dakin June 8, 1954 2,889,176 Thompson June 2, 1959 

1. AN AUXILIARY STEP FOR A RUNG-TYPE LADDER COMPRISING A STEP ADAPTED TO REST ON THE UPPER SURFACE OF A LADDER RUNG, AN END BRACKET MEMBER ATTACHED TO EACH OPPOSITE END OF SAID STEP, EACH END BRACKET MEMBER BEING OF SUBSTANTIALLY CHANNEL-SHAPE AND BEING ADAPTED TO EXTEND ALONG THE INSIDE EDGE AND ALONG THE FRONT AND REAR EDGES OF A SIDE RAIL OF THE LADDER, A DETACHABLE LOCKING MEMBER FOR EACH END BRACKET MEMBER, EACH LOCKING MEMBER BEING SHAPED TO EXTEND ALONG THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF THE SIDE RAIL OF THE LADDER, OPPOSITELY DISPOSED LATERALLY SPACED PARALLEL FLANGE MEANS CARRIED BY ONE OF SAID MEMBERS AT EACH END OF SAID STEP, OPPOSITELY DISPOSED LATERALLY SPACED PARALLEL GROOVE MEANS CARRIED BY THE OTHER OF SAID MEMBERS AT EACH END OF SAID STEP, WHEREBY EACH END BRACKET MEMBER AND ITS CORRESPONDING LOCKING MEMBER MAY BE INTERLOCKINGLY ENGAGED BY THEIR RESPECTIVE FLANGE AND GROOVE MEANS TO HOLD SAID STEP IN POSITION ON THE LADDER RUNG, EACH OF SAID LOCKING MEMBERS INCLUDING A PORTION PROJECTING THEREFROM TO FORM A HANDLE FOR GRASPING THE RESPECTIVE LOCKING MEMBER, AND MEANS ON THE UPPER EDGE OF EACH OPPOSITE LOCKING MEMBER EXTENDING IN A LENGTHWISE DIRECTION OPPOSITE FROM SAID HANDLE AND ENGAGING THE UPPER EDGE OF THE CORRESPONDING BRACKET MEMBER TO LIMIT THE DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF THE LOCKING MEMBER RELATIVE TO THE CORRESPONDING BRACKET MEMBER. 